Cricket – NevisPages.comhttps://www.nevispages.com
Nevis News & Business PortalSat, 06 Jun 2020 12:46:52 +0000en-CAhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.1449133813Windies Names Squad for UK Tourhttps://www.nevispages.com/windies-names-squad-for-uk-tour/
https://www.nevispages.com/windies-names-squad-for-uk-tour/#respondThu, 04 Jun 2020 08:19:54 +0000https://www.nevispages.com/?p=180084Windiescricket.com
Tuesday, 2 June 2020 — ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) selection panel today named a fourteen (14) man Test squad and list of eleven (11) reserves for the proposed Sandals Tour of England 2020. Subject to the final approval of the UK Government, the West Indies will defend the Wisden Trophy in three back-to-back Test matches to be played behind closed doors, starting on July 8. The touring party, who will all be tested for COVID-19 this week, are scheduled to fly to England on private charters on June 8.

The West Indies squad will live, train and play in a “bio-secure” environment during the seven weeks of the tour, as part of the comprehensive medical and operations plans to ensure player and staff safety. The bio-secure protocols will restrict movement in and out of the venues, so the selection panel has also named a list of reserve players who will travel to train and help prepare the Test squad and ensure replacements are available in case of any injury.

Darren Bravo, Shimron Hetmyer and Keemo Paul all declined the invitation to travel to England for the tour and CWI fully respects their decision to choose to do so. As previously stated, CWI will not hold this decision against these players when considering future selection.

The two newcomers to the Test squad are middle-order batsman Nkrumah Bonner and fast bowler Chemar Holder. The 22-year-old Holder – who is not related to captain Jason Holder – was the leading fast bowler in the West Indies Championship with 36 wickets in eight matches at 18.91 each, and was one of the successful ICC U-19 World Cup winning side in 2016. Bonner, 31, will be making his Test squad debut after being one of the leading batsmen in the 2020 West Indies Championship with 523 runs in seven matches at an average of 58.11. He has previously represented the West Indies when he played two T20 Internationals back in 2011 and 2012.

]]>https://www.nevispages.com/windies-names-squad-for-uk-tour/feed/0180084CWI Board Gives Approval in Principle for Test Tour of Englandhttps://www.nevispages.com/cwi-board-gives-approval-in-principle-for-test-tour-of-england/
https://www.nevispages.com/cwi-board-gives-approval-in-principle-for-test-tour-of-england/#respondMon, 01 Jun 2020 10:16:31 +0000https://www.nevispages.com/?p=180046Windiescricket.Com
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The Board of Directors of Cricket West Indies (CWI) met via Teleconference on Thursday, May 28. The majority of the lengthy meeting focused on discussing the initial short-term recommendations from the Financial Strategy Advisory Committee (FSAC), a special purpose committee that was put in place by President Skerritt on 2nd April 2020. The committee comprised a joint membership of Directors and Executive Management, all with significant financial management expertise, chaired by JCA President, Wilford “Billy” Heaven.

The Board agreed to the committee’s business continuity plan of action, for how CWI would have to operate in order to survive its cash flow crisis, in the context of the debilitating economic uncertainties of the global pandemic COVID-19.

The Board also gave approval in principle for the proposed upcoming West Indies Test tour of England. The decision comes only after CWI medical and cricket-related representatives and advisors have been involved in detailed discussions with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and their own medical and public health advisers.

These discussions involve the local and international logistics and protocols which are already being put in place to minimize risk and optimize the health and safety of all concerned. CWI has also received and reviewed detailed plans for players and staff to be kept in a bio-secure environment for the duration of the tour, with all matches being played “behind closed doors”.

CWI’s management is now in the process of seeking to put all of the approvals and logistics in place within the Caribbean, including seeking permission from the various National Governments to facilitate the movement of players and support staff, using private charter planes and conducting medical screenings and individual COVID-19 testing for all members of the touring party.

CWI President Ricky Skerritt, stated:
“I would like to thank the CWI Management, the Medical Advisory Committee, and the FSAC for their detailed and timely presentations given to the Board meeting. In addition to our approval in principle of the proposed Test Tour of England, we made some significant financial management decisions that will be announced and implemented in due course. The great detail to which the Board engaged in these matters is testimony to their urgency and importance, but it meant that we had to defer a few agenda items until next Wednesday (June 3), when we have scheduled to reconvene”.

CWI will continue to fine-tune the various arrangements with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), whilst they await final UK Government approval of their plans for a bio-secure tour with all three Test Matches being played behind closed doors.

]]>https://www.nevispages.com/cwi-board-gives-approval-in-principle-for-test-tour-of-england/feed/0180046West Indies Test Players Resume Training in Barbadoshttps://www.nevispages.com/west-indies-test-players-resume-training-in-barbados/
https://www.nevispages.com/west-indies-test-players-resume-training-in-barbados/#respondWed, 27 May 2020 08:33:56 +0000https://www.nevispages.com/?p=179931Windiescricket.com
Members of the West Indies Test team returned to training in small groups on Monday at Kensington Oval. After an extended period away from the nets – due to the COVID-19 lockdown, Captain Jason Holder and several team-mates took to pitch with an eye on the potential upcoming tour of England.

The skipper was joined by Kraigg Brathwaite, Shai Hope, Kemar Roach, Shane Dowrich and Shamarh Brooks – all of whom played in the last Test match against Afghanistan in India last December. Another Test player, Raymon Reifer also participated.

They were under the guidance of West Indies assistant coach Roddy Estwick, as well as several coaches from the Barbados Cricket Association.

The initiative to get back to training has been given local Government approval, with strict protocols of social distancing, observing the guidelines as set out by the authorities and CWI’s Medical Advisory Committee and was conducted behind closed doors. Other players across the region are expected resume training later this week as Cricket West Indies (CWI) continues dialogue with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on the proposed tour which is expected to feature three Test matches.

Johnny Grave, CEO of CWI gave an update of the discussions.
“Based on the information we have at the moment, everyone is getting increasingly confident that the tour will happen at some point this summer,” said Grave.
“Our next Board of Directors Teleconference is on May 28 and if the tour has to take place as currently planned, by the start of June, we would need to have their approval and support by then in order to get the charter flight logistics in place and select the players. It’s great news that the players are now able to begin their cricket training, having been restricted to fitness and conditioning work at home for the past few weeks, as we begin to prepare for defending the Wisden Trophy . We are in the final stages of discussions with the ECB and we expect to hear from them shortly once their bio-secure plans have UK Government and ECB Board support.”

]]>https://www.nevispages.com/west-indies-test-players-resume-training-in-barbados/feed/0179931ICC Gives Guidelines for Resumption of Cricket (Excerpts from ICC Release)https://www.nevispages.com/icc-gives-guidelines-for-resumption-of-cricket-excerpts-from-icc-release/
https://www.nevispages.com/icc-gives-guidelines-for-resumption-of-cricket-excerpts-from-icc-release/#respondMon, 25 May 2020 06:42:29 +0000https://www.nevispages.com/?p=1798773. RESUMPTION OF CRICKET The restart of cricket requires planning to assess and manage the risk of CV-19 infection. Members should follow their government’s restrictions and advice, specifically those related to gatherings, travel, social distancing, and sporting competition for a safe return to cricket. Members may be required to confirm their resumption of training and competition with the responsible government and public health authority along with a detailed copy of their plan for a safe return. Members may refer to the following measures for guidance in developing their back to cricket plan. Each plan will differ based on government regulation and status of the CV-19 virus in communities.

Back to Cricket Approach A safe return to cricket will require different considerations, depending on if this is being looked at from the perspective of community cricket, domestic professional cricket, or international cricket. However, in all cases each group or team should consider three main elements of this return: 1. Back to Training 2. Back to Play 3. Back to Travel this document offers specific guidance (where applicable) across all three elements from the perspective of community cricket, domestic professional cricket, and international cricket. All guidance is based on the ICC’s Principles (outlined above) and is underpinned by the importance of Education and Awareness of the virus.

4. RESUMPTION OF COMMUNITY CRICKET Back to Training – Health and temperature checks should be monitored for all participants at training and match venues – The ICC recommends a phased approach to resuming training activity starting with solo training followed by small group activities and thereafter larger groups and full training (in compliance with government restrictions). The load and intensity of training over the stages should be progressive to prevent injury.

A recommended approach on the phased back to training activity is outlined in Appendix 1. – Progression to the next stage should not begin until it is deemed safe to do so and there is no evidence that the local CV-19 transmission rate has risen because of this training activity. – When using a training facility, training should be staggered where possible to minimize numbers, maintain social distancing, and reduce contact. Consider modifying training times so there are less people present at any one time. –

Personal equipment should be sanitized before and after use (training and competition). The use of external equipment should be limited where possible. – Equipment sharing should be avoided. If unavoidable, an appropriate cleaning protocol should be followed before and after use. – Consider the age and health of participants and recommend against high-risk individuals participating in training or competition. – Participants should arrive ready to train and avoid using communal facilities where possible.

]]>https://www.nevispages.com/icc-gives-guidelines-for-resumption-of-cricket-excerpts-from-icc-release/feed/0179877CWI in Search Of Women’s Coachhttps://www.nevispages.com/cwi-in-search-of-womens-coach/
https://www.nevispages.com/cwi-in-search-of-womens-coach/#respondMon, 25 May 2020 06:36:39 +0000https://www.nevispages.com/?p=179875WINDIESCRICKET.COM
Cricket West Indies (CWI) has begun the recruitment process within the Caribbean to find a permanent Head Coach of the West Indies Women’s Team.

Developing Women’s cricket through the region is a vital part of the CWI strategic plan, and this role remains pivotal as the West Indies Women’s team performances are an inspiration to the next generation of female cricketers across the Caribbean.

The successful candidate will primarily be responsible for:

• Producing West Indies Women’s Teams which perform consistently with winning performance in ODIs and T20Is through the design and delivery of well-structured and progressive coaching programs.
• Effectively deploying resources and implementing tactical initiatives to ensure the achievement of superior match results and top placement in all ICC competitions.
• Managing the on and off-field development of current and new players through elite player development, health and welfare programmes.
• Managing an elite and dynamic team management unit to get the maximum output from the players.

Potential candidates will require an accredited Level 3 Coaching qualification to apply and will be responsible for leading the process to develop and implement standards and protocols consistent with CWI’s overall strategy and objectives for cricket. Additionally, CWI requires that all candidates must be of West Indian heritage.

Full details of the application available at https://www.windiescricket.com/cricket-west-indies/job-vacancy-west-indies-womens-head-coach/

The deadline for applications is May 26, 2020.

]]>https://www.nevispages.com/cwi-in-search-of-womens-coach/feed/0179875Dave Cameron threatens legal action against Cricket West Indieshttps://www.nevispages.com/dave-cameron-threatens-legal-action-against-cricket-west-indies/
https://www.nevispages.com/dave-cameron-threatens-legal-action-against-cricket-west-indies/#respondFri, 22 May 2020 09:19:32 +0000https://www.nevispages.com/?p=179819ESPNcricinfo
Former president of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Dave Cameron has threatened legal action against the regional governing body unless it hands over a copy of an audit report critical of his period in office.

The audit, requested by Cameron’s successor and conducted by external and independent auditors Pannell Kerr Foster (PKF) raised concerns about an inadequate accounting system that enabled abuses to go unreported and posed a threat to “the board’s long-term sustainability.”

The audit report singled out Cameron for criticism several times. The Jamaican was president of CWI (previously WICB) from March 2013 until March 2019. At that time he was defeated in his re-election attempt by Skerritt who called for this report.

Cameron said he first became aware of the report when contacted for comment by ESPNcricinfo in April.
The businessman is demanding that he is provided with a copy of the audit report from CWI within 48 hours in order that he can “respond fully” to the “allegations made by PKF.”

A letter from Cameron’s attorneys stated that “our client maintains that he has serious concerns about the credibility of this report, which involved the Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee selected and/ or appointed by the President or Board.

“In the circumstances, and having regard to the basic principles of fairness and the right of our client to protect his reputation, our client demands, without prejudice to any rights he may now have, a full copy of this report within 48 hours, and the right to respond fully to all of the questions, comments or allegations made by PKF, and statements made by Mr Holding and the President within 21 days.

“Should CWI whether by way of the Board or management or otherwise seek in the meantime to publish the report, or refuse to meet our client’s demands for a copy of the report and time to respond, our client will have no alternative but to seek the appropriate orders and remedies from the High Court.”

It has been reported that the letter from Cameron’s attorneys was received on Monday.
Extracts from the audit report appeared in publications across the region.

West Indies fast bowling legend and cricket commentator Michael Holding alluded to a couple of sections in various interviews – though he has not mentioned Cameron. Ricky Skerritt, the current CWI president, acknowledged in a media statement that the report “uncovered some illustrations of questionable executive standards and practices.”

Cameron’s attorneys further stated that “the President’s statement and especially the use of the word “uncovered” carries the imputation that PKF uncovered previously hidden and unknown material, which justified or warranted the making of serious questions, comments or allegations directed at or against our client as the President of CWI.

“There is no question that Mr Holding believed that the contents of one part of this PKF report raised the real prospect that the offence of money-laundering either occurred, or may have occurred, and/ or exposed CWI to the risk of involvement in money-laundering. At all material times, our client was the President of CWI. These allegations have now gone viral throughout the region and elsewhere.

“As indicated above, our client has not seen the report, nor has he been given any opportunity to respond to it, either by PKF or CWI. In fact, at no time did PKF seek to ascertain any fact or comment from him. However, the report or parts thereof were made known to ESPNcricinfo and Mr Holding.”

]]>https://www.nevispages.com/dave-cameron-threatens-legal-action-against-cricket-west-indies/feed/0179819Jason Holder voices financial concerns as Windies contemplate England tourhttps://www.nevispages.com/jason-holder-voices-financial-concerns-as-windies-contemplate-england-tour/
https://www.nevispages.com/jason-holder-voices-financial-concerns-as-windies-contemplate-england-tour/#respondWed, 20 May 2020 12:35:11 +0000https://www.nevispages.com/?p=179783ESPNcricinfo
West Indies captain Jason Holder has admitted that the proposed tour of England in July will represent an opportunity for players “to actually make some money”, but insisted that no player would be forced to travel if they did not feel safe doing so.

While boards have admitted throughout the crisis that they need to return to play as soon as possible in order to bring in TV revenue, few players have spoken about their own need to earn. West Indies players have felt the financial impact of the Covid-19 shutdown harder than most, with match fees from games earlier this calendar year delayed and CEO Johnny Grave accepting that Cricket West Indies “is facing a tough time financially”.

Speaking on the BBC’s ‘Tuffers and Vaughan’ show, Holder said the tour would allow for “everybody getting back into the workforce”.
“It’s no different from a frontline worker going into a hospital every day,” Holder said. “It’s the same risk that they’re… they’re putting their lives at risk and they’ve still got to make money. The longer we stay off the field, the longer it takes for us to actually make some money.”

England’s players will return to individual training on Wednesday with the hope of starting a three-Test series against West Indies on July 8. West Indies have been in contact with an enlarged training squad of around 30 players to let them know more details about the tour, but Holder echoed the sentiments of Ricky Skerritt, CWI’s president, in saying that no player would be forced to travel to the UK if they did not feel safe.

“Each player has to be comfortable in making the step,” he said. “Certainly from my perspective, I wouldn’t be forcing anybody to go anywhere. It’s been made clear that if we are to hop on a plane to go over to England and play, then it must be safe. We’re been given assurance from CWI that we wouldn’t go over to England unless they deem it safe to go over and play.

“It’s not only from a monetary standpoint. The first priority is everybody’s safety. We’ve been assured that the only way that the tour will possibly go ahead is if everyone could be comfortable with the measures that the ECB are putting in place to roll the cricket out.
“But there’s obviously been a lot of ongoing discussions, and for us as players to commit to going, we’ve just got to be assured of our safety.”

Holder also admitted that after a packed international schedule, the break had come at a good time for him personally as an opportunity to “recoup” before playing again.
“It has been a welcome break,” he said. “It’s kind of unfortunate the kind of break it has been, but for us it’s an opportunity to reflect, relax, and recoup before we actually resume playing cricket again.

“No doubt, hopefully in the not too distant future we will have the opportunity to get out on the cricket field, but every cricketer around the world who has been on the circuit maybe for the last four, five years, hectically playing, would welcome this break.”
END

]]>https://www.nevispages.com/jason-holder-voices-financial-concerns-as-windies-contemplate-england-tour/feed/0179783Statement From The Most Hon. P. J. Patterson Chairman, Cpl Tournament Committeehttps://www.nevispages.com/statement-from-the-most-hon-p-j-patterson-chairman-cpl-tournament-committee/
https://www.nevispages.com/statement-from-the-most-hon-p-j-patterson-chairman-cpl-tournament-committee/#respondSat, 16 May 2020 08:27:55 +0000https://www.nevispages.com/?p=179715On May 6th, the CPL Tournament Committee received a formal complaint from the CPL alleging breaches of its Tournament Rules & Regulations by Mr. Chris Gayle, arising from a series of videos which he had posted to his personal YouTube channel on April 27th.

Having circulated the complaint, the CTC unanimously decided that it satisfied the prima facie test. In accordance with its Disciplinary Powers it authorised the establishment of an independent three (3) member Tribunal to hear the matter.

Notwithstanding, intense efforts were made to settle the charges for the benefit of CWI, CPL and Mr. Gayle, before empanelling its members.

These efforts have resulted in an acceptance by Mr. Gayle of the need to issue the statement attached hereto. This was received by the CTC and shared with the CPL & CWI to the satisfaction of all parties. Given the assurance of Mr. Gayle to act in good faith, it therefore is no longer necessary to empanel a Tribunal.

The CTC, the CPL and CWI therefore consider the matter closed.

STATEMENT BY CHRIS GAYLE

Recently, I posted three videos on my personal YouTube channel, where I addressed the reasons for my departure from the Jamaica Tallawahs franchise ahead of the 2020 CPL tournament.

I made these videos with one single intention – to explain to the fans in Jamaica the reasons behind what has now become my second departure from the Tallawahs franchise. It was my greatest wish to finish my CPL career in Jamaica – playing in front of my home crowd at Sabina Park with the franchise that I had previously led to two CPL titles.

In so far as my resentment at the treatment, I stand by my comments in those videos. My words were spoken from the heart.

Having said that, I must be honest and say that I now realize how portions of my comments may be viewed as being damaging to Cricket West Indies, and to the CPL Tournament and its brand – a tournament which I have sincerely enjoyed not just being a part of, but also helping to build and promote. It was never my intention to damage the T20 Tournament, as playing in the CPL has guaranteed an opportunity for the past 7 years to play in front of the great fans of the Caribbean. This is a privilege which I genuinely appreciate and have never taken for granted.

Right now, my eyes are fixed firmly on the season ahead, and the new challenge which playing for the St. Lucia Zouks franchise will bring. I hope to see you there.

]]>https://www.nevispages.com/statement-from-the-most-hon-p-j-patterson-chairman-cpl-tournament-committee/feed/0179715Gayle Will Face Sanctions Says Skerritthttps://www.nevispages.com/gayle-will-face-sanctions-says-skerritt/
https://www.nevispages.com/gayle-will-face-sanctions-says-skerritt/#respondFri, 15 May 2020 13:18:56 +0000https://www.nevispages.com/?p=179684Port-Of-Spain, Trinidad (CMC):
Cricket West Indies (CWI) boss Ricky Skerritt says Chris Gayle will likely be penalized by the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for his public tirade against his former Jamaica Tallawahs franchise and its assistant coach Ramnaresh Sarwan.
Although describing the controversy as “interpersonal battles” being fought in the public eye, Skerritt said Gayle, who has been signed to St Lucia Zouks for the 2020 season, had brought the CPL into disrepute.

“I’m sure there is some kind of discussion taking place at the moment between Chris and the CPL because the CPL has rules which will come into view here because Chris is signed into a franchise team,” Skerritt said on i95FM Sports here.

In a series of videos posted on his YouTube channel late last month, Gayle was highly critical of Sarwan, his former West Indies teammate, describing him as a “snake” and accusing him of conspiring to get him released from the franchise. The 40-year-old also claimed that the Tallawahs management had been “playing games” with him, and had cut him from the squad without any notice, although he still had two more years left in the three-year contract and had agreed to a pay cut.

Sarwan subsequently said the allegations were false and scandalous; while Tallawahs said the decision not to retain the T20 batting star did not include Sarwan and was “based purely on business and cricketing reasoning”.
“It’s certainly not something that I enjoyed looking at or reading about …. I think Chris clearly has a number of concerns on his mind and he decided to go public. Personally, I think that was unfortunate, but the process will have to take its course and that process will get triggered because he is a contracted player in the CPL within the West Indies league,” Skerritt said.

“If a player is contracted to a club or a franchise or to Cricket West Indies … that kind of behaviour brings that contract into some level of disrepute. So, I would expect this most recent matter is not over. I hope it doesn’t become a world matter in terms of the career of Mr Gayle, because it’s been a very outstanding career and I really wouldn’t want to see it brought to an end by this event.”
Skerritt added that the regional governing body for cricket was paying close attention to see how the CPL would handle the matter.

A WATCHING INTEREST
“We kind of have a watching interest but we will wait and see what happens,” the CWC president said.
Although stressing that he was neither condoning nor judging Gayle, Skerritt said the cricketer’s outburst did not reflect the person he had known for many years, and the public disputes were disappointing.
“I happen to have been fortunate to be around Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Wavell Hinds, [Ramnaresh] Ronnie Sarwan, when they were just starting out their careers. These are guys who are all lovers of cricket, they really love the idea of putting on the maroon colours, and along the way things have happened,” said the former West Indies team manager.

]]>https://www.nevispages.com/gayle-will-face-sanctions-says-skerritt/feed/0179684Jamaica Tallawahs Announce Caribbean Player Retentionshttps://www.nevispages.com/jamaica-tallawahs-announce-caribbean-player-retentions/
https://www.nevispages.com/jamaica-tallawahs-announce-caribbean-player-retentions/#respondThu, 14 May 2020 21:40:26 +0000https://www.nevispages.com/?p=179663The Jamaica Tallawahs have announced the Caribbean players they will be retaining for the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League. International retentions and signings will be announced at a later date. This year teams can retain as many players from their 2019 squads as they wish. They could also transfer players to other teams and sign emerging players.

The Tallawahs have chosen to retain or sign four Caribbean players ahead of the CPL draft:

Andre Russell (Jamaica)

Rovman Powell (Jamaica)

Oshane Thomas (Jamaica)

Chadwick Walton (Jamaica)

Jefferson Miller, CEO of the Tallawahs, said: “The Tallawahs organisation will be seeking to rebuild in 2020. We are extremely excited to have Andre Russell back for another year. Andre was recently named as the leading T20 cricketer in the world by the 2020 edition of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack. We are delighted for the opportunity to retain Oshane Thomas and Rovman Powell, both rising stars in West Indies and world cricket. I’m looking forward to having the veteran Chadwick Walton back in the dressing room, Chadwick brings a wealth of leadership experience to the team and has been a dominant player over the years in the CPL. Overall, we are looking forward to successful CPL 2020 and returning the championship to Jamaica.”

The CPL is scheduled to take place between 19 August and 26 September but the tournament organisers are currently watching the current situation with COVID-19 closely and are liaising with medical advisors and governments. A decision on whether the tournament can proceed as planned, or at a different time, will be made as soon as possible.

]]>https://www.nevispages.com/jamaica-tallawahs-announce-caribbean-player-retentions/feed/0179663St Lucia Zouks Announce Local Player Retentionshttps://www.nevispages.com/st-lucia-zouks-announce-local-player-retentions/
https://www.nevispages.com/st-lucia-zouks-announce-local-player-retentions/#respondThu, 14 May 2020 11:36:59 +0000https://www.nevispages.com/?p=179661The St Lucia Zouks have announced the Caribbean players they will be retaining for the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League. International retentions and signings will be announced at a later date. This year teams can retain as many players from their 2019 squads as they wish. They could also transfer players to other teams and sign emerging players.

The Zouks have chosen to retain or sign eight Caribbean players ahead of the CPL draft, including all-time leading T20 run scorer Chris Gayle and exciting St Lucian batsman Kimani Melius.

Chris Gayle (Jamaica)

Daren Sammy (Windward Islands)

Andre Fletcher (Windward Islands)

Kesrick Williams (Windward Islands)

Obed McCoy (Windward Islands)

Rahkeem Cornwall (Leeward Islands)

Kimani Melius (Windward Islands)*

Kavem Hodge (Windward Islands)

* Emerging player

The captain of the St Lucia Zouks, Daren Sammy, said: “I don’t have to tell you about Chris Gayle. He is the most successful T20 batsman in the world and I’m happy to be playing with him. I think he will be focused and motivated for the season. Andre Fletcher has been with us since the inception of the league. He carries the true spirit of St Lucia Zouks, and he is a great entertainer on the field.

“Kesrick Williams is one of the top T20 bowlers over the last few years in International cricket. Rahkeem Cornwall really bosses the powerplay overs and him partnering up with Chris Gayle is going to be something exciting to watch.

“I’m excited about Kimani Melius because he is from St Lucia. He is one of the hardest working youngsters I’ve ever seen. With the experience of Chris Gayle and Andre Fletcher, he could really benefit from this CPL exposure.

“Obed McCoy is a talented left-arm fast bowler out of St. Vincent. He is a very skilful bowler, can’t wait to see him play a full season for the St Lucia Zouks.

Kavem Hodge is another talented all-rounder we have. He works really hard on his game; he had a pretty good first class season as well.”

St Lucia Zouks coach, Andy Flower, said: “I’m really looking forward to having two Caribbean legends in our dressing room; Daren Sammy for his outstanding leadership and Chris Gayle for his experience and explosive stroke play. They will be central to our chances of doing well in the tournament. Kesrick Williams and Obed McCoy are going to be the mainstays of our seam attack, both operating in very different ways but both extremely effective in this form of the game. I am very excited that we have the youth and potential of the West Indies U19 World Cup captain Kimani Melius with us. A St Lucia native, it is brilliant to have him on board and looking forward to seeing how he progresses when he gets his chance.”

The CPL is scheduled to take place between 19 August and 26 September but the tournament organisers are currently watching the current situation with COVID-19 closely and are liaising with medical advisors and governments. A decision on whether the tournament can proceed as planned, or at a different time, will be made as soon as possible.

]]>https://www.nevispages.com/st-lucia-zouks-announce-local-player-retentions/feed/0179661Guyana Amazon Warriors Announce Local Player Retention’s.https://www.nevispages.com/guyana-amazon-warriors-announce-local-player-retentions/
https://www.nevispages.com/guyana-amazon-warriors-announce-local-player-retentions/#respondTue, 12 May 2020 12:19:51 +0000https://www.nevispages.com/?p=179604The Guyana Amazon Warriors have announced the West Indian players they will be retaining for the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League. International retentions and signings will be announced at a later date. This year teams can retain as many players from their 2019 squads as they wish. They could also transfer players to other teams and sign emerging players.

The Amazon Warriors have chosen to retain six local Guyanese players, three regional West Indian players and they have signed a Guyanese player as one of their Emerging West Indies players ahead of the CPL draft.

The following are the Local and Regional players retained and signed by the franchise for CPL 2020:

Nicholas Pooran (Trinidad & Tobago)

Shimron Hetmyer (Guyana)

Brandon King (Jamaica)

Keemo Paul (Guyana)

Sherfane Rutherford (Guyana)

Romario Shepherd (Guyana)

Chandrapaul Hemraj (Guyana)

Kevin Sinclair (Guyana)*

Odean Smith (Jamaica)

Anthony Bramble (Guyana)

* Emerging player

Guyana Amazon Warriors Team Operations Manager, Omar Khan, commented on the retentions and signing: “The Guyana Amazon Warriors Franchise has and will always be committed to the continued development of our local and regional players. From the inception of the CPL we included young Guyanese players in our squad as part of the franchise’s mandate to provide opportunities to young aspiring Guyanese cricketers to assist in their overall development as professional cricketers. Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Sherfane Rutherford have all benefitted from these opportunities prior to them becoming full-fledged members of our team.

“We are extremely delighted that we were able to retain the majority of our local and regional players, including Nicholas Pooran and Brandon King, both of whom have been hailed by the cricket pundits as potential future stars of West Indies cricket and who were members of our team last year. The Guyana Amazon Warriors wish all of the retained players great success in the CPL 2020.”

The CPL is scheduled to take place between 19 August and 26 September but the tournament organisers are currently watching the current situation with COVID-19 closely and are liaising with medical advisors and governments. A decision on whether the tournament can proceed as planned, or at a different time, will be made as soon as possible.

]]>https://www.nevispages.com/guyana-amazon-warriors-announce-local-player-retentions/feed/0179604Barbados Tridents Announce Local Player Retention’shttps://www.nevispages.com/barbados-tridents-announce-local-player-retentions/
https://www.nevispages.com/barbados-tridents-announce-local-player-retentions/#respondThu, 07 May 2020 16:39:42 +0000https://www.nevispages.com/?p=179502The Barbados Tridents have announced the Caribbean players they will be retaining for the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League. International retentions and signings will be announced at a later date. This year teams can retain as many players from their 2019 squads as they wish. They could also transfer players to other teams and sign emerging players.

The Tridents have chosen to retain or sign nine Caribbean players ahead of the CPL draft including the exciting all-rounder Nyeem Young as one of their emerging players.

Jason Holder (Barbados)

Johnson Charles (Windward Islands)

Shai Hope (Barbados)

Hayden Walsh Jr (Leeward Islands)

Ashley Nurse (Barbados)

Jonathan Carter (Barbados)

Raymon Reifer (Barbados)

Nyeem Young (Barbados)*

Justin Greaves (Barbados)

* Emerging player

Speaking about the Caribbean player retentions, Tridents captain Jason Holder said: “We are really excited to build on last year’s championship win and it is great that we have been able to retain the core of our squad for this season. Combined with the international players that we are planning to add to the squad we are looking forward to defending our championship.”

The CPL is scheduled to take place between 19 August and 26 September, but the tournament organisers are currently watching the current situation with COVID-19 closely and are liaising with medical advisors and governments. A decision on whether the tournament can proceed as planned, or at a different time, will be made as soon as possible.

]]>https://www.nevispages.com/barbados-tridents-announce-local-player-retentions/feed/0179502St Kitts & Nevis Patriots Announce Local Player Retentionshttps://www.nevispages.com/st-kitts-nevis-patriots-announce-local-player-retentions/
https://www.nevispages.com/st-kitts-nevis-patriots-announce-local-player-retentions/#respondWed, 06 May 2020 14:37:42 +0000https://www.nevispages.com/?p=179497The St Kitts & Nevis Patriots have announced the Caribbean players they will be retaining for the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League. International retentions and signings will be announced at a later date. This year teams can retain as many players from their 2019 squads as they wish. They could also transfer players to other teams and sign emerging players.

The Patriots have chosen to retain or sign seven Caribbean players ahead of the CPL draft, including signing Denesh Ramdin from the Trinbago Knight Riders:

Evin Lewis (Trinidad & Tobago)

Fabian Allen (Jamaica)

Sheldon Cottrell (Jamaica)

Denesh Ramdin (Trinidad & Tobago)+

Rayad Emrit (Trinidad & Tobago)

Alzarri Joseph (Leeward Islands)

Dominic Drakes (Barbados)*

+ Transfer from Trinbago Knight Riders

* Emerging player

The Patriots have also announced that it will be Rayad Emrit who will captain the team and Australian Simon Helmot will be the Head Coach for the 2020 season.

Speaking on his appointment as captain, Emrit said: “I am very excited to be part of the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots for a second season. I think that the team that is selected this year is going to be a very exciting one. I am very excited to be named as captain. It’s always an honour and a privilege to lead a franchise. Our new coach, Simon Helmot, knows the CPL and he knows how to win titles. He and I are going to work very hard to get the team to the finals.”

The CPL is scheduled to take place between 19 August and 26 September but the tournament organisers are currently watching the current situation with COVID-19 closely and are liaising with medical advisors and governments. A decision on whether the tournament can proceed as planned, or at a different time, will be made as soon as possible.

Gayle, disappointed at not being retained by the Jamaica Tallawahs for the 2020 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) broadsided Sarwan during the video.

In a scathing attack on Sarwan, Gayle accused the 39-year-old of playing a role in his departure. “What transpired with the Tallahwahs, you had a big part to play in this,” the big hitter charged in part two of the Breakdown of Release from Jamaica Tallawahs videos as he directed his comments to Sarwan. You want the franchise, have it. There’s no Gayle. You run the show.”

Sarwan in response said: “I was the focus of most of the onslaughts. I reply, not because I feel that Gayle’s rantings are worthy of it, but because I feel that the public’s record must be set straight and also, to protect the character and careers of so many people, whose image he sought to besmirch.

“No doubt, Gayle’s utterances have done immeasurable damage to the “gentleman’s game” of cricket, in particular, West Indian cricket. As a former International Cricketer, who had the privilege of donning West Indian colours, I feel compelled to speak in defence of this great sport which has unified the Caribbean more than anything else over the past 50 years.

“It is my sincere hope that Gayle’s damnation has not irreparably damaged the unity and brotherhood which cricket has forged across the West Indies. Let me make it abundantly clear, that I have played with Gayle from the inception of my international career and I have always respected him as an extraordinary talent, a colleague, and most importantly, a close friend. Hence, my utter shock by these scandalous allegations. He was welcomed in and is loved by, my immediate family. He has hurt them terribly. Fans will recall, that when Ian Chappell called for Gayle to be banned from international cricket because of remarks he made to a female journalist, I issued a public call for fans to rally around Gayle. I stood up for him on every such occasion. But this missive is not about that.”

Sarwan said, “Gayle refers to an incident as far back as 24 years ago, of which I have no recollection. He claimed that I caused him to be sent home from Barbados during a tour because he was watching television all night in the room which I shared with him. This is a total fabrication. No competent management would remove from a series, a player of Chris’s calibre, on such a trivial allegation. I categorically deny any involvement in the decision or the decision-making process, which led to Gayle’s non-selection to represent the Jamaica Tallawahs in the 2020 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Tournament. In fact, the management of the franchise itself has issued a public statement that “the truth is that this decision was made collectively by the Ownership and Management team which did not include Ramnaresh Sarwan and based purely on business and cricketing reasoning.”

He pointed out, “I have been officially attached to the Jamaica Tallawahs since 2018. I was first offered to play for the side. I refused because I felt that young and upcoming Jamaican and regional talents as well as overseas players, ought to be given that opportunity. I was then offered the position of Head Coach but deferred to Mark O’Donnell, who was with the team several years prior. Instead, I accepted the position of Assistant Coach. In 2019, I was appointed Head Coach. I reached out to Chris and discussed with him, the selection of a team. I did so out of respect for him. In my conversation with Gayle about the team, he informed me that Donovan Miller, a Jamaican and a very close friend of Chris should be appointed Head Coach as he would better understand the culture of the Jamaican players.”

Sarwan revealed, “I conveyed Gayle’s view to the CEO, informing the CEO that I would be happy to step aside for Miller’s appointment given that Chris feels strongly about his appointment. My priority was what would be in the best interest of the team. Gayle is fully aware of the background, yet he accuses me of fighting to be Head Coach.”

The attractive right-handed batsman said he did support the implementation of curfew on the players, which was criticized by Gayle in his outburst.

“I accept full responsibility for my recommending that the team management consider imposing a curfew on players prior to matches. And I stand by that decision. Such restrictions are standard operational procedures in almost every international sport so that when it is time for performance on the field, the players are physically and mentally prepared for the challenges.

“In any event, the curfew was never implemented, so I do not understand why Gayle has made this an issue. I absolutely reject Gayle’s allegation that I encouraged foreign players to disrespect him. I really do not understand how he came to such a conclusion and this simply is not true. My deep concern is that young and upcoming players who regard Gayle as a role model may think that this is an acceptable way of addressing problems that may befall them in their careers.”

He ended, “To the cricketing world and cricketing fans everywhere, more particularly, West Indian cricket fans, all of whom I love and respect dearly, in particular, those in my home country of Guyana and Jamaica who have always supported me throughout my career, I express my deep regret on this unfortunate saga and I hope that it will lower neither Gayle nor I, in their estimation. I thank all those who have conveyed their support to me and rallied around me during this unfortunate turn of events and take the opportunity to wish Chris all the best with his new team and the upcoming CPL.”